Effect of Varying Proportions of Low and High Energy Dense Foods Over 5 Days in Preschool Children

In this study, the investigators will vary the proportions of high- and low-energy-dense
foods served to preschool children at all meals and snacks during three 5-day periods. In the
three experimental conditions, the same foods will be served; only the amounts and
proportions of foods will be varied. In the Baseline condition, typical proportions of
age-appropriate foods will be served. In the Addition condition, the portion sizes of
low-energy-dense foods will be increased, and in the Substitution condition, the portions of
low-energy-dense foods will be increased by replacing an equivalent amount of foods higher in
energy density. The primary aim is to determine the effect on children's energy intake of
varying the proportion of low- and high-energy-dense foods served, either by addition or
substitution, over 5 days. It is hypothesized that children will consume less energy when
they are served meals in which low-energy-dense foods are substituted for foods higher in
energy density over 5 days and that children will consume more energy when served meals to
which low-energy-dense foods are added. Additionally, we will test the hypothesis that daily
energy intake in the three conditions will begin to converge across the 5-day period.